History of Rochambeau's Army in the U.S. (1780-1783) 

Latest changes: 2009-08-28 - drop pre-1780 links /

Period Event Links States
1780 July - 1781 May Arrival and stay in Newport RI RI
1781 Jan - July Lafayette vs Cornwallis in VA VA
1781 June March from RI via CT to NY MA,RI,CT
1781 July - Aug 13 NY encampment, sally-in-force against British positions; decision to besiege Cornwallis in VA NY
1781 Aug 14 - Sep 2 March from NY via NJ to PA NY,NJ
1781 Sep 2-5 March through PA PA
1781 Sep 2-7 March through DE The soldiers continued by water, the officers and baggage by land. At the Virginia Capes the French fleet drives off a British fleet, thus denying relief to the British army at Yorktown DE
1781 Sep 8-24 March/sail through MD and VA to Yorktown MD,VA
1781 November Victory and Return North Immediately after the brief siege and magnificent victory at Yorktown the U.S. Continental troops and the two French fleets returned to their pre-convergence locations. The French army remained in VA for the winter. VA
1782 July-Dec Return of the French army from VA to Boston MA, after which most of the French troops shipped out from Boston for the Caribbean. all

Active Map of the W3R (below)

As you move the mouse curson across the map below it will change shape when it gets near the white or grey lines. You may then click to go to the page with the history of the W3R for that section of the march (going south). To read the history of the return march in 1782 you must use the table.

A Note about "Official" W3R Routes

W3R March Map FR: Navy in Boston FR: Arrive in Newport RI FR: March to NY Camp near NYC March thru NJ March thru PA March thru MD Sail to VA
Legend for the Map Above:
WHITE = main army land route, BLACK =state boundaries, GREY = sailing route
BLUE = major rivers or French fleet route; YELLOW = British fleet route

Timeline of the W3R

When the cursor changes shape on the text-note areas of the timeline you may click to see more detail on that aspect of the campaign.

W3R Timeline
FR: Arrive in Newport RI FR: Stay in Newport RI FR: March to NY Skirmish near NYC March to MD Sail to VA Siege FR: Stay in VA FR: March to NY FR: March to RI FR: March to MA FR: Stay in DE

Reference Sources

Books on the French army and its role in the American Revolution:
   Chartrand
   Chastellux
   Kennett
   Rice
   Selig

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